In a joint statement, they appealed to maintain unity. “It is time to remain united and follow cherished goal with spirit of persistence and unity among all concerned factions. Freedom movement is in its crucial stage and we need to be careful as our enemy can derive advantage from prevailing crises,” they said.

Hizbul Mujhahideen commander Zakir Musa had recently threatened to behead separatist leaders including from Hurriyat Conference for describing Kashmir a political issue. He also threatened those advocating a secular Jammu and Kashmir state after “freedom”. In an audio message Zakir had said the ongoing movement was for Islamisation and enforcing Shariah.

Hizbul Mujahideen leadership in Muzaffarabad distanced itself from Zakir’s statement describing those as his personal views. The leadership warned action against Zakir for such a statement and described it as unacceptable. Later Zakir quit Hizbul Mujahideen saying if his organization does not represent him, he too does not represent Hizbul Mujahideen. The militant commander, however, said he stood by his statement. “I will continue my struggle for Islamisation and will see who continues with him for my stand,” he said. Some militant groups including Harkatul Mujahideen yesterday supported Zakir for his views.

Commenting over the controversy, Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik in their statement today said in nineties the situation was more awful and complex. “We paid a great lot in terms of precious lives and kind. We were engaged in pity and non-serious matters and as such instead of following logic we were swayed by our emotions. Disunity and differences proved disastrous in past and enemy forces succeeded at various stages to sabotage our mission,” they said.

“We stand by our earlier statement and are following the freedom struggle and facing shrewd enemy,” they added. While referreing to government of India, the separatist leaders said, “authorities choked our voice and now is the time to remain cautious.”

“On one hand, they are hatching conspiracies and on the other are employing all their repressive measures and military might to sabotage movement, however, all political and militant factions have decided to face all these and remain united. We will not allow them to create rifts among resistance camp or divide leadership and nation,” Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik said.

They added that they succeeded to wave off the “so-called terminology of hardliners and moderate, thus unified nation on one point programme of freedom from forced occupation.” While referring to India, the leadership said that “our unity and united approach is a mile stone and it is an achievement and thus they stand frustrated, said leadership.”

Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik said characters of nation are examined in catastrophe. “And the biggest power we got and carried forward from 2016 agitation was our unity and poll boycott in recent parliamentary elections. All these steps depicted the best precedence of our unity. Unity among our folds is supreme and we need to uphold this spirit and carry forward this passion. We ought to remain cautious and let us not harm our struggle and desist from all such steps which may help these forces to play folly with freedom movement,” they added.

They said political and militant leadership are fully aware about all odds.”We will not succumb to any pressure, however history of unparalleled sacrifices has enabled us to stand against such grim situations,” they said.

Addressing youth, the leaders said the youth need to learn much more from senior leadership and “we all need to go hand in hand and work together to achieve our mission.” “It is time to rethink and make out strategies and work them out unanimously that how to get freedom,” they said.

SRINAGAR, May 14: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have to choose between peace and violence. She asked students to focus on their education by letting the elders address bigger issues.
“The people here need to decide…They need to think what they want and how they want it. (Whether) by pelting stones, by killing bright children like (young army officer) Ummer Fayaz or a bank employee or a youth working in police (who work hard for earning their livelihoo